Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-10-22
CHINATOWN.
Quaint Ceremonies in the
New JOSs-HUuse.
THOUSANDS OF VISITORS
"Stirring" Music and a Novel En-
tertainment-A Stroll Around
the Quarters.

| the quarters.
Chinatown presented very festive
aspect last night at the Inauguration
of tile three days religious festival.
Directly darkness overlook the city
the heathens proceeded to illuminate
t.eir portion of it by means of an
array of variegated lanterns and al
7 80 when the visitors began to flock
in the direction OF the Chinese quart
ers, the scene was an unusually bril-
liant one. Every house and store was
decorated with several OF these Ian
terms, reminding one in the distance
of the descriptions of an Oriental
town, and this effect was rendered
still more noticeable as one APP
preached. for there came stealing Ger
the air the sounu of clashing cymhals
and the weird discordant music
which is particularly notice
able at all Chinese orgies. Ar
irving at Niger Alley, one found the
narrow thoroughfare crowded with an
| assortment of interested visitors, in
Guiding every nationality that is rep
resented in Los Angeles. Mongolians
Mexicans, negroes, Caucasians, all
were mingled together in one chatter
| ing throng, and all were heading for
what, by the bright lights issuing fr1
it, appeared to he the chief centre OF
attraction. This was the new temple
or Joss house, full particulars OF which
were given in Yesterdays HERALD
and as was announced, everything han
been prepared for the opening of the
ceremonies at s o'clock. 1t was al
most impossible to elbow ones way
into the building, SO great was the
rush OF the curious to see what wa>
transpiring within. Two stalwart pc.
licemen guarded the entrance, and
ever and anon issued the solemn words
Of warning, "Mind your pockets"
INSIDE THE BOOTH.
The scene inside was almost be-
yond comprehension. All the images
and brass weapons were ranged around
the walls and from the rafters hung n
multitudinous array OF panorama de-
picting scenes in Chinese mythology
Some of the specimens We're really
wonderful in their workmanship and
the brass work was finished in man
ner almost defying competition. The
booth was brilliantly illuminated ny a
countless number of colored lanterns
and to one who had never beheld
such a scene before it was marvel
GUS sight, as was evidenced by th'
| murmurs that one caught when tl-
bowing through the dense crowd.
But the principle centre of attrac-
ton, one that appealed to the
ears as we'll as to the eyes
was the stage. Here stood the five
| priests and their attendant
acolytes facing toward the wall, which
was covered with banners of legend
ary heroes. At the left side sat the or
chestra playing on tom-toms, fiddles,
banjoes and metal drums, and produc-
ing an effect that Is too villainous for
description. The priests were chant
ing from a roll Of manuscript before
them and the leader or high priest
kept time with little metal baton
| which he occasionally struck on a
small anvil, after which proceeding
all would genuf1ect reverently.
No one else was permitted
on the stage but few chosen
spirits who attended to the re-
quirements OF the priests. and these
individuals evidently felt the dignity
of their position very keenly, judging
by the hauteur they displayed to their
unsolicited countrymen. The priests
l~,,r 4o,x,t,,.r r,hnS
of cardinal cloth and OH the back Of
the garment between the shoulders
were woven in white silk some mystic
signs, evidently betokening their
sacred calling. The service was
evidently to be one of long
sitting-or rather standing, for
there were no seats in the auditorium,
and all those who effected their way
into the building only stayed long
enough to acquaint themselves with
what was going on and then FASTENED
to csc .pe from the heated atmosphere
into the pure air without.
OPIUM DENs.
And yet, scarcely pure, for from the
half-opened doors of the surrounding
novels came waited the sickening
odor OF burning opium, and visit to
one of these dwellings proved that the
usual nightly scene of vice was being
enacted therein. Stretched on
hard wooden bunks lay numbers of
moon -ey ed celestials greedily sucking
at the mouth of their long bamboo
pipes while they fumed over a little
spirit lamp the necessary quantity OF
the direful drug. A few of them had
already yielded to its potent fascina-
tions and lay there open-mouthed and
senseless, spectacle to make angels
weep and strong men shudder.
OTHER SCENES.
At the entrance to number of these
dens small booths had been erected
and quick-witted Cinnamon retailed
cheap curiosties to willing customers
anxious to possess a reminiscence of
the nights experiences. At the ex-
treme north end of the alley was what
might be termed "side-show." 1t
consisted of large frame box arrang-
ed after the fashion of an old-time
Punch and-Judy show, only in place
of the puppets sat five alleged musici-
ans performing selection from some
Chinese musical gem, which was evil
IDENTIFY being played with a total disre-
gard to rhythm or score. The sallow
faces of the performers looked pecu-
liarly weird and haggard in the dim
light which was reflected upon them.
and Judging by the mournful cast of
| their countenances they were not en-
| ~ 4, ,,,l.